Snub nosed monkeys of Shangrila

The mysterious monkeys of Shangrila
High in the mountains is where they are
Pink lips yoda ears and almond eyes
Elf like they be and quite the surprise
NOrth East Yunnan the snow mountain range
In hidden valleys just for a change
Childlike in many ways affectionately
Each one is special so wild and free

XI ZHI NONG visited sone years ago
He had heard of the yeti out in the snow
And so with a party decided that he
Would go back and find them
Where ever they be
An enchanted garden where updraughts of heat
Came from the warmer climes
Up to their feet
And there where the blossoms and flowers
In profusion
They found the monkeys it was no illusion

Precipitous valleys impossible terrain
Magickal monkeys he saw them again
Two little babies apparently just
Born to the families with all of the thrust
Of new borns, and loving and caring
Though they
identified one child with some dismay
Two males one was cosseted just like a prince
And one was neglected presumably since

It was born, what a shame but these monkeys
Appeared
To help each other out
Which kind of cheered
Us up looking on for these babies do need
love and attention now to succeed
We decided to watch the two youngsters to see
How both would manage
How both would be

Sadly the mother did not regard
Her baby as needy he would have to work hard
The other boy he was just cuddled away
Fed and delivered every hour of the day
It could have meant the neglected one
Would have just died
But in fact he just hed to fight
To stay on side

Its where we as cameramen then could see
These monkeys were given to some empathy
They actually cared for each other it seemed
Even the batchelors seemed to take heed
He was tougher and braver and pushed himself on
Clearly resilient when he was up on
The branches a checking out fruits he could eat
He would watch others and so find a treat

In the Spring MOnks would come to high places, they
Would cook the yak milk and in cabins stay
Run out their prayer flags burn offerings there
And the mysterious monkeys they just didnt care
Up here there were forests of rhododendron’s the flowers
Were delicately perfumed and for many hours
The monkeys would sample the clusters of snow
And watch alpine butterflies just kind of glow

They supped the sweet nectar from buddleigh there
From the trees lichen dripped it was just everywhere
Medicinal qualities the monkeys knew
And they ate them and enjoyed them
Which they all loved to do
The baby he foraged alone and he learned
He never had milk you might be concerned
But he was a tough little tearaway he
Managed to survive and to healthier be

There were all sorts of plants
Thirty different ones they
Could eat trial and error
And watching did pay
Off, be was stronger he did it alone
And was probably balanced and really on tone

Elephants live in the snow melt below
When the monsoon arrives
There is so much snow
In the thin air the temperature drops like a stone
And the green plateau freezes
So to be alone

With no one to cuddle, its not an idea
So he went up to families and snuggled, it was clear
Thats how families stayed warm in the trees
They cuddled together so they wouldnt freeze
Sometimes he watched birds and would share the fruit
In the snow he would play if it did suit

He was hoping a female would adopt him i think
He was always searching wanting that link
And others did help him and he did see his mum
Who cuddled him but he knew that she had to run
She was off with a troop of males and sadly he
Was an orphan officially it had to be

They do look like eleves with their sticking out ears
And their little slit noses and well it appears
Their inflated pink lips and brown almond eyes
And their gestures which really take folk by surprise
Family and friends apparently are
The important things in their lives and they were
Clearly inseparable in many ways
Preening each other
Under the gaze

Life is like smoke so the Monks oft exclaim
As for the snub nosed there latest game
Is living higher and then looking down at the cameramen
Who all look the same
JAcky Poon and the others all followed the troop
And lesrned so much about them
Keeping all in the loop